Feb 25, 2020

Under current policies, an estimated 8 per cent (650m people) of the global population will not have access to electricity in 2030, 90 per cent of which will be in sub-Saharan Africa as stronger political commitment, long-term energy planning, increased private financing and adequate policy and fiscal incentives will be crucial to achieve universal access, the World Bank Group says in its Tracking SDG7: The Energy Progress Report, 2019.

Thomas Reuters Foundation reports that in a position paper, released to coincide with the Africa Energy Forum in Lisbon, investors said mini-grids had “immense potential” to accelerate electrification in Africa; where more than one in two are still living without electric power, in part because of the cost of extending national grids in remote or rural areas.

According to USAID,  Nigeria already has the potential to generate 12,522 megawatts (MW) of electric power from existing plants, but is only able to generate around 4,000 MW, which is insufficient.

The position however becomes clear that, for Nigeria, Africa to fix its power problem and reach the unserved and underserved it must look to investing in alternative sources to generate power; especially clean energy sources, to support international goals to decarbonise economies.

With the growing concern over Nigeria’s energy need and driven by a passion to create positive change, 32 year old Ifeanyi Orajako, CEO/ Founder Green Village Electricity (GVE) Project Ltd., set up a leading renewable energy solution company in Nigeria that provides alternative energy solutions for residential and villages or rural communities.

Ifeanyi in a chat with Political Economist magazine, considers his company’s project to be very important because it provides value to Nigerians, especially to those at the bottom of the pyramid who do not have access to electricity supply from any decent form, who depend mostly on petrol generators, kerosene lamps and candles.

Starting out as an undergraduate with no capital and no form of experience in the industry, GVE impacts 13 different communities across 7 different states (Niger, Anambra, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Ogun, Plateau and Gombe) in Nigeria; having a total of over 7,000 households it provides with reliable electricity access.

“By our project, we create a transformation in these communities by introducing them to modern civilisation through modern electricity services,” Ifeanyi said.

He noted that with tremendous impact recorded in communities where it is deployed the GVE project in Bisanti, Niger State, Nigeria which was deployed in 2015 has helped drive significant level of literacy awareness and enlightenment in the community.

“Asides improved literacy level we have seen significant improvement in Healthcare access, significant reduction in mortality rate from malaria and other related diseases, because they now have access to electricity to better store vaccines and with this, the healthcare workers are now very comfortable staying back and providing reliable services in the community”.

Currently working with young people from the communities, GVE has empowered and trained local agents who sell power to the end users off a commission. This is also in a way providing some form of employment and livelihood in the community.

“In terms of industrialisation and economic growth we have seen significant growth because with the introduction of electricity, it pulls these people to take up small businesses and agro processing to help them improve on their living standards,” Ifeanyi noted.

The company which started with just a team of 6, now has a total staff strength of 54 and is currently about on boarding 12 additional personnel to help meet up with its level of growth.

Caption: Ifeanyi Orajako, CEO/ Founder Green Village Electricity (GVE) Project Ltd

Report by Theresa Igata